The Sacrament of Confirmation is the rite by which we make a mature profession of our faith before the Bishop and take on responsibility for our faith and membership in the Church. Since we become full members of Christ’s body and the Church through our baptism, confirmation is a strengthening of the gifts given to us in baptism and our response and promise to live out the vows of our baptismal covenant: continuing in the Apostles teaching and fellowship, the breaking of the bread, the prayers of the Church, persevering in resisting evil, repenting of our sins and returning to our Lord, proclaiming by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves, striving for justice and peace, and respecting the dignity of every human being. Essentially we promise to be regular in attending Mass and to live out our faith in our lives every day.

WHO SHOULD BE CONFIRMED?

At St. Columba’s, confirmation instruction is divided into two groups: (1) adults and (2) senior high school (9th – 12th grades). Those participating in confirmation classes will be confirmed by the Bishop usually at one of the December diocesan confirmation liturgy held at the Cathedral of St. Philip or during the Bishop’s annual visitation to St. Columba’s.

WHEN?

Classes will be held as follows:

Senior High (9-12th grades): August 5, 12, 19, 26, and September 2 at 10:00 am in the EYC Cottage (#202)

Adults: August 5, 12, 19,26, and September 2 at 12:30 pm in the Narthex

Confirmation Mass will be Sunday, September 9 at 11:15 at St. Columba’s, a reception for confirmands and their family will follow this Mass.

REQUIREMENTS?

Be a baptized, active member of the Church.

Participate in a majority of the confirmation classes. If your schedule will cause you to miss several classes, you probably should consider being confirmed next year.

Senior High confirmands must attend one of the two diocesan “Happening weekend” retreats at Camp Mikell. These weekends are a powerful time where about 100 senior high school teenagers gather at Camp Mikell and learn from each other what it means to live as a Christian – or as the cliché goes, how to “talk the talk and walk the walk.” The dates for this year’s weekend retreats are: November 16-18, 2012 and February 22-24, 2013. The cost is $100 for the weekend and scholarships are available. Fr. Tripp serves as one of the spiritual directors for the weekend and more information on the diocesan website: click here

If you are interested in being confirmed, please complete the online application and/or speak with Father Tripp, Jerry Adams, or Easton Davis.